So both candidates met with Blair County elections officials on Monday. Each picked one of several sealed envelopes containing a sheet with a number on it -- with the understanding that the low number would win.

The Altoona Mirror (http://bit.ly/tbj6fk) reports that Helsel drew a "12" and Claar drew an "8." Afterward, they shook hands.

Helsel had been a supervisor almost continuously since 1988. He didn't quibble with the tie-breaker, saying, "It's been done this way for years. If it isn't broken, don't fix it."